Kerala PDP leader Abdul Naseer Madani, an accused in the 2008 Bangalore blasts case, Thursday sought anticipatory bail on the grounds there was "no prima facie case" against him.
When the plea came for hearing before fast track court sessions judge Srikanth Watavatagi, Madani contended there was no prima facie case against him as it was based on a statement of a co-accused and also because none of the accused had named him as being part of the conspiracy.
He stated that prior to the arrest of the first accused, the others who were arrested had never mentioned his name during interrogation.
Terming the evidence against him as "hollow", he claimed that he had been "falsely implicated" in the case.
"The very approach of the investigating agency was not in the right track as the evidence was collected after recording statements of the accused," Madani said.
He also maintained that he has never visited Laggeri in Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district, where the conspiracy was allegedly hatched, as mentioned in the charge sheet.
He prayed that the court consider his application as he was a "responsible political leader" involved in social work and suffered from several ailments including diabetes and hypertension, apart from having a prosthetic leg.
The prosecution argued for rejection of Madani's plea, saying the nature of the offence he was involved in was "very serious".
{{/usCountry}}The prosecution argued for rejection of Madani's plea, saying the nature of the offence he was involved in was "very serious".
{{/usCountry}}After hearing the arguments, the Judge adjourned the hearing to Friday.
Madani along with 31 others was issued charge sheet for his alleged involvement in the blasts in the city on July 25, 2008 that left a woman dead and 20 others injured.